Innovations to Lower Carbon Footprint

Building materials significantly impact embodied carbon, which encompasses greenhouse gas emissions from materials and construction activities. At the Lodha Net Zero Urban Accelerator, we are transforming the construction process by integrating low-carbon materials and innovative techniques to reduce environmental impact.

Our journey began with a baselining study of multifamily high-rise buildings, India’s predominant building type, constructed with reinforced concrete. The study revealed that cement, concrete, and steel contribute to over 50% of a building’s embodied carbon, with a footprint of 387 kgCO₂e/m². While modest globally, this benchmark highlights the critical need for sustainable material practices.

To address this, we adopted low-carbon concrete mixes incorporating Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS), Fly Ash, and LC3, achieving remarkable results. For example, a G+23 building using a triple blend mix reduced cement consumption by 47%, cutting embodied carbon by 14%.

This transition underscores our dedication to rigorous optimisation and sustainable practices at every construction stage and all key emission categories which also include steel, aluminium, blocks, paints and tiles. By reducing embodied carbon, we contribute to the sector’s environmental goals and align with India’s vision for climate resilience and sustainability.